The last time DSC visited TMG at Cologne was back in 2012, when the Hybrid LMP1 era was in its infancy. A lot has changed at Toyota’s ever-evolving motorsport goldmine. 350 staff work full time at the huge plant, which is used to service cars, design and produce race cars and service a slew of other external clients in both motorsport and other industries.
The amount of cutting-edge machinery that TMG in Cologne houses is staggering; it hasn’t stood still since the end of its F1 programme in 2009. You can still take a blank sheet of paper, design a race car, then manufacture and test it using only the facilities available inside these castle walls. The workspaces are huge, the engine department is somewhat of an Aladdin’s cave and the two wind-tunnels are still so valuable that they continue to be used by F1 teams to this day.
DSC wasn’t able to take pictures in every room as Toyota, understandably, doesn’t want to show off all its secrets to the public. But, the gallery below should serve as a real treat.
It features shots from the foyer, the museum, the customer racing workshop and more. There was so much to see, and this is only a small sample.
It’s easy to see why TMG HQ at Cologne is described by one member of the workforce as: ‘the best maze in the world’.
Missed Part 1, which covers the Supra GT4? You can read that HERE >>>
The day began in Cologne city centre
Before heading to the castle walls
Quite a greeting from three of Toyota’s finest machines
Here’s a close up look at the one and only GT-One road car
A selection of FIA WEC trophies in the cabinet
Complete with the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours checkered flag, signed by the drivers.
VLN trophies won by Toyota staff
The GT-One’s wind tunnel model, tucked away in a conference room
The GR Supra GT4 test car being serviced
Here’s its rear
And the cockpit
A VLN-entered GT86 from the rear
And the front
An R3-spec GT86 next to a Supra GT4 showcar
This is what a €300,000+ F1 wind tunnel model looks like complete with full electronics and pneumatic tyres
The TMG museum, some of the early rally cars
The fabled Group S MR2!
Corolla WRC on the left, sitting next to Yaris WRC development cars
The most significant sportscar in Toyota’s history?
TS030, TS040 & TS050
Next to a TS020
A rare glimpse of the TS020’s engine bay.
A TS010 is also present in the Museum
Such an iconic look and livery
The Toyota IQ Cup Car, which was developed fully but never raced
What happens when you pack as much F1 tech as possible into a road-going Lexus?
A car that runs at over 30mph on tick over!
A fully electric Radical-based prototype chassis, capable of stunning times at the Nürburgring…
The first F1 car in sight is the un-raced 2010 challenger.
Which sits next to the 2009 Pirelli tyre test car.
Early F1 cars
How far away is his name? (Sorry Al… (Dep Ed))
Toyota’s final F1 car from 2009, which competed in the season finale, complete with signatures from everyone involved
A Toyota GT86 from this year’s N24, run by factory staff. It finished 81st overall and finished third in the Cup 3 class
Toyota’s simulator, which will see plenty of action in the run up to the 2020/21 WEC season!
DSC’s deputy editor was lent a ‘Lightning Yellow’ Supra for the trip
